BORIS Johnson has been accused of offering British people a vision of life outside the European Union that is "intellectually impossible” and “politically unavailable”.

Dutch finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem warned that the UK could not expect to have continued unfettered access to European markets post-Brexit unless it accepted free movement of labour.

Reuters

Boris Johnson has been accused of offering up an "intellectually impossible" vision of Brexit

He said both the UK and the EU would be worse off as a result of the historic referendum vote to leave as he accused the Foreign Secretary of presenting arguments about Britain's future prospects which could not work.

‘IT’S A MYTH!’

BREXIT PLAN B

"The opposite does exist. We have a customs union with Turkey but Turkey is not part of the internal market.

“So he is saying things that are intellectually impossible, politically unavailable, so I think he is not offering the fair approach that gives the British people a fair view of what is ahead."

PA

Boris Johnson said yesterday he though the idea free movement was fundamental to the EU was a "myth"

Mr Dijsselbloem warned whatever the outcome of the Brexit negotiations, the economies of the UK and the EU would both suffer, adding: "There is no win-win situation. It is going to be a lose-lose situation.

He said in “the best case” the countries could “set aside all emotions” and come up with agreement that “minimises the damages”.

British firms which have full access to the European markets “without any hindrance or customs duties” would lose some of that, he added.

“The full free movement within the internal market can only be available if the UK also accepts the other freedoms of Europe, including migration within Europe,” the minister concluded.

AP

Mr Dijsselbloem warned whatever the outcome of Brexit talks, the economies of the UK and the EU would both suffer

The EU's key power broker warned making an "exception" for Britain would "endanger" the principles of the EU, however when it came to the finer details of how freedom of movement was applied she indicated that there was scope for discussion.

"I personally am of the view that we will have to discuss further with the (European) Commission when this freedom of movement applies from," she said.

While offering "fair" negotiations to the UK, Mrs Merkel added: "First, however, Britain must explain in what manner it would like this exit."